Oklahoma Mentor Day Honorees Include Two From SWOSU

Southwestern Oklahoma State University associate professor Andrea Holgado (front row second from left) was one of 35 recently honored during the first Oklahoma Mentor Day at the State Capitol in Oklahoma City. Dr. Holgado was recognized for her mentoring experiences with SWOSU students. Sharing in the celebration were (front from left): Ashley Rodriguez, Claudia Nkeih, Debbie Flaming and LaKesha Seals. Back from lef t— Dr. Jody Maness, Jamin Brown, Monte Stone II, Caleb Hubbard, Timothy Stein, Tyler McLemore and SWOSU President Randy Beutler.

Thirty-five outstanding youth mentors from throughout Oklahoma — including Southwestern Oklahoma State University associate professor Andrea Holgado and SWOSU student Quynh Phi of Oklahoma City — were recently honored during the first Oklahoma Mentor Day at the State Capitol in Oklahoma City.

The awards were presented by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence and its David and Molly Boren Mentoring Initiative. The goal of the day was to recognize outstanding mentors from all types of youth mentoring organizations around the state.

Phi was recognized for her involvement with the Academic All-State Alumni Mentoring Program. The SWOSU student goes to Burcham Elementary each Tuesday afternoon to lift up and provide support to a first-grade student. She has been working with first-grader Bobbi Cornelson. Phi started her mentoring experience several years ago as part of the Early Bird Reader at Burcham Elementary.

Dr. Holgado, from the SWOSU department of biological sciences, was honored for her mentoring work with 21 college students who have submitted works in various publications and presentations at the national level.

Southwestern Oklahoma State University student Quynh Phi of Oklahoma City, was recently honored during the first Oklahoma Mentor Day at the State Capitol in Oklahoma City. Phi was recognized for her mentoring experience with Burcham Elementary student Bobbi Cornelson (right).

Recipients received a certificate of recognition signed by David Boren, founder and chairman of the Foundation for Excellence. The award presentations were made by former Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor, a trustee of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence and supporter of the Boren Mentoring Initiative. Other activities included an awards ceremony, lunch, storytelling and interactive African drumming led by Jahruba Lambeth, a presentation by Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Noma D. Gurich and an outing to Science Museum Oklahoma for mentors and mentees.

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